Dogs are sometimes more challenging to read for a person, making it more critical to know when they require attention.
After all, like humans, their mental and emotional well-being is just as crucial for a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, it is common for a dog to feel down or stressed, leading to reduced physical activities, poor diet, and other health issues.
Happily, it’s easy to tell if your dog is suffering from stress. If you know what to look for, you’ll be able to detect some apparent signs that your pup isn’t exactly delighted with life. Different visible signs can suggest your puppy is unwell from stress.
As a pet owner, you must keep a tab on the physical as well as mental health of your pet.
Why Are Dogs Stressed?
Dogs are, more than any other species, highly social animals. They rely on humans just as much as we depend on them. As a result, being isolated from the rest of their kind can quickly cause significant stress for your pet.
Imagine if you didn’t have anybody to talk to or interact with for an entire day; you would probably feel very down in the dumps. But, unfortunately, it’s not that much different for a dog.
If your dog spends most of its alone, then it’s time to start finding ways to de stress your dog.
The same principle applies to dogs locked up in a small area. If your canine is kept indoor 24/7, it’s bound to feel confined and unhappy. Also, if your dog has been living with you since its birth, leaving it alone at home or boarding it off somewhere can cause stress.
Dogs are very much creatures of habit, so they may find it difficult to adjust to changes in their routine and surroundings even if they have only been gone for a short time.
A sudden change in the household can also cause significant stress for domestic dogs and wild wolves, who have the same behavioral patterns.
Signs That Your Dog Is In Depression
Avoiding human contact and affection, eating less food, and behaving unusually are common signs of a dog under stress. Dogs often seek out new surroundings and new activities to keep themselves busy.
If your dog is engaging in behavior such as chasing bugs, digging, or chewing objects, this is a good sign that it’s happy.
However, if your dog has become very quiet or is no longer engaging in social behavior, he’s probably under stress. Here are five symptoms that there is something wrong with your pet and they are under pressure:
Reduced Physical Activity
Dogs are highly social animals that love interacting with the people they live with. So if your dog is not spending as much time interacting with other dogs or humans, it means he’s probably under much stress.
Suppose your dog is under a lot of stress. Feeling bored and inactive for a prolonged period can indicate pressure. In that case, he will keep himself busy by interacting with different objects and engaging in repetitive behavior, such as chewing himself and his surroundings.
Reduced Appetite
Many dog owners notice that their dogs have become very picky about the food they eat, snatching bits from their owner’s plates without even eating them. This is one of the most common signs that your dog is feeling depressed, which is quite similar to how a human would react to feeling sad or discouraged.
A pet dog can turn lethargic or uninterested in participating in anything at all. You must be there for your pet and consult a vet if the situation worsens. If you notice your dog secluded, this should also indicate his feeling stressed.
Behavioral Symptoms
The emotional symptoms of stress are similar to those exhibited by humans, so identical behavior should be considered when diagnosing your pet. For example, in some cases, a dog may show signs of aggression, attention-seeking, biting, and obsessive behavior.
It is essential to understand that all these behaviors are caused by a dog’s desire to avoid stressful situations and not necessarily the signs of stress itself. There are numerous reasons for a dog’s reduced motivation to do certain things and behaviors.
However, unless the reasons are medical, it is usually a sign of stress.
Decreased Level of Energy
Stressed dogs may become lethargic or sleepy most of the day, which is why monitoring your pet’s activity levels and sleep patterns are essential. If you notice that your dog becomes very tired during the daytime, this is usually an indication that something is wrong with him and he is stressed.
If you notice that your dog is not interested in doing anything at all, it could be a sign of depression. While some dogs can be moody for no reason, others may need more freedom and love to help them overcome their emotional hang-ups.
Avoiding Human Contact
Dogs are very much creatures of habit, so they may find it difficult to adjust to changes in their routine and surroundings even if they have only been gone for a short time. A sudden change in the household can also cause significant stress for pet dogs.
If you find your dog showing signs of lack of attention, lethargy, or even aggression, there’s something wrong with your pet, and he’s under stress.
If you find your dog isolated from the other family members and displaying symptoms such as licking, excessive panting, trembling, and hiding, there’s a high chance that your pet is stressed.
Can Dogs Cope With Stress?
Dogs are brilliant animals, just like humans. Many of their emotions and feelings are very much the same as ours. While many dogs can develop emotional issues such as stress or anxiety, they can usually overcome them once they have been diagnosed.
Dogs are very social creatures, so if you have observed that your dog is feeling stressed, it’s also important to take time off to attend to his emotional needs.
A lot of people feel guilty when their pets show signs of stress. However, like most animals, dogs need great attention and affection to be happy. Likewise, dogs crave attention from their owners, physically and mentally.
With proper care, concentration, and professional help, your dog can overcome stress and start living everyday life.
How to De-stress Your Dog?
If you’re an owner of a dog and you’ve noticed that your pet is under stress, there are certain things that you can do to help him feel better.
The most important thing is to ensure your dog feels safe and secure in his surroundings. This includes providing the dog with adequate exercise, good food, and regular checkups at the vet. A few tips are shared here to help your dog overcome his tough times under stress:
Spend More Time with Them
Dogs love to spend time with their owners playing and running around. Make sure you spend at least a couple of hours every day with your dog and give him special attention. Take him out for long walks, play with him and engage in activities that may help ease his mind.
This will make him feel better emotionally and improve his overall health.
House Training
Pets under stress need to be trained from a young age so they cannot roam around freely. If you donate more time to spend with your dog, house training and socialization can help him become more comfortable.
Keep your dog on a leash when you go out for walks, and enroll him in obedience classes if he still needs to be trained.
Exercise
If your dog is stressed out and needs a good dose of exercise, walking can help him feel better. Just remember to monitor his activity level so he doesn’t overdo it. Try and walk your dog at least once every week, even if you live in the suburbs.
In addition, regular schedule play dates for your pet and ensure he gets enough social interaction daily.
Feed Them Right
The right food can help your pet overcome stress and keep him happy and healthy. As a dog owner, you should always ensure that you feed your pets high-quality food because nutritious food will provide them with the nutrients needed for their bodies to work correctly.
Time Management
Dogs are highly social animals that love spending time with other dogs or even humans.
So make time for regular play dates, or take them with you when you run. If you have noticed that your pet is under stress or has developed unhealthy behavior, then the best thing to do would be to set up a schedule so he can get used to following one.
Dogs are much more sensitive than we think, and they can quickly learn how to overcome stress through proper training and socialization.
Dogs are a man’s best friend, and we must give them all the attention they need. If you notice your dog is feeling stressed, taking some time off is essential to spend quality time with your pet.